Meghan Suits Up: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Charm Dublin

Harry and Meghan's second engagement of the day saw them visit Croke Park, the home of the Gaelic Athletic Association.

They were accompanied by several officials including John Horan, President of the GAA; Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Colin Regan and Tánaiste Simon Coveney. The Tánaiste is the deputy head of government of Ireland and the second-most senior officer in the Government. Below, Meghan chatting with Mr Coveney.

'The couple also spoke to Ciarán Harkin, 16, from Galway, and Cera Kenny, 17, from Kildare, both youth leaders. Cera said: 'She was saying how important it was to stay in your community and bring on younger children.'

However they were both most impressed at the way Harry refused to move when an official tried moving the duke on to the next group waiting to meet him. Cera said: 'When he was being rushed, he said no, two more minutes.'

Ciaran said: 'He was very genuine and real.'The informality of the event was emphasised when the Tanaiste, or deputy prime minister, Simon Coveney stepped in to take a picture on a parent's phone of Harry and Meghan posing with a young man in a wheelchair.'

'Colin Regan, the GAA's community and health manager, said: 'Meghan was particularly interested in the fact that there were boys and girls playing sports together. She said she had not seen that before, really.' She was also struck by Sarah Cregg, who plays wheelchair hurling with the Connacht provincial team. Mr Regan said: 'She said, 'Good on you, Sarah,' She asked if it was a physical game. She said it was. She liked that Sarah was mixing it with the lads. She thought that was very empowering.'

This little girl was very excited to meet Meghan.

The pair were incredibly popular with the children they met. This photo is priceless.

The Duke and Duchess were eager to learn more about Ireland's culture and heritage and had a fantastic opportunity to do so with a visit to Trinity College.

They saw the Book of Kells, one of Ireland's greatest cultural treasures.

The Book of Kells is an illuminated manuscript Gospel book in Latin, containing the four Gospels of the New Testament together with various prefatory texts and tables. It was created in a Columban monastery in either Britain or Ireland. It is believed to have been created c. 800 AD.

It is a masterwork of Western calligraphy and represents the pinnacle of Insular illumination. It is also widely regarded as Ireland's finest national treasure.

They also visited the Long Room of the Old Library.

They viewed the Brian Boru Harp at Trinity, it is the oldest surviving Irish harp and the model of the Insignia of Ireland.

'The Duchess of Sussex promised to return to Ireland’s oldest library after she was told of plans to include the first female bust in its iconic Long Room. Prince Harry and Meghan, a keen feminist, were shown around the Hogwarts-style library, often described as the most beautiful room in Ireland, at Trinity College Dublin.

Showing them around, senior librarian Helen Shenton, the first female librarian to work there since it opened in 1752, remarked that though there were 37 busts of classical writers and senior figures on display, including Aristotle and Cicero, none of them was of a woman, which was something she intended to change.

“As they were leaving, she said ‘I’ll come back and look out for that first woman bust’,” said Shenton. Keen calligrapher Meghan described the Book of Kells, Ireland’s greatest cultural treasure and the world most famous medieval illuminated manuscript, as “amazing, beautiful”.

From there, the couple walked on the cobblestones to great the waiting crowds.

They say Ireland is the land of a thousand welcomes - that was certainly the case in Dublin today.

Prince Harry was particularly taken with an adorable little girl who was upset.

"As the couple greeted fans in Dublin, Elaine Adam-Stewart, 43, told Harry, “My husband also has red hair and he gave me five children — when are you and Meghan going to get going?” Harry saw the funny side, Adam-Stewart tells PEOPLE. “He laughed and said ‘five children? — too many."

Elizabeth Ring, a 19-year-old law student, said of her conversation with the couple: “Meghan said Dublin was her favourite city. Harry said he’d come back with his jacket over his head, incognito.”

The Mirror writes "Royal fan Chloe Mullins, 19, gave the couple a framed sketch she had done of their engagement photograph. Harry said ‘you’ve given me more hair’,” she disclosed. “He saw it and was like, wow. Meghan came over and he said ‘look at this, what do you think of it? She said wow too and thanked me for it.” Told she was coping well with walking on cobblestones in her high heels, the Duchess replied: “I’m trying!” Katie Balfe, who is studying journalism, appeared emotional as she spoke to the Duchess, telling her she was a personal “inspiration” as a high profile advocate of women’s rights. “She said she was really enjoying her visit and that what I said made it even more special,” she said."

The video below has nice footage from the Trinity visit and walkabout.

Meghan received so many flowers, Harry stepped in to help :)

Then it was time for a spot of lunch. They stopped at Delahunt Camden, a modern Irish restaurant and cocktail bar. Omid Scobie reports they enjoyed smoked salmon served with dill pickled cucumber. Meghan had Roast hake served with curried mussels and saffron potatoes and Harry had the lamb for the main course. The pair shared a pint of Guinness for dessert.

Before leaving, they posed for a photo with staff.

The Duke and Duchess had a moment for reflection at the Famine Memorial. The statues commemorate the Great Famine of the mid 19th century. During the famine approximately 1 million people died and a million more emigrated from Ireland, causing the island's population to fall by between 20% and 25%. No event in history has had a more profound effect on Ireland and the worldwide Irish Community.

Rebecca English said the royals were left "powerfully moved" by the memorial.

Omid Scobie said Harry told sculptor Rowan Gillespie that famine “is happening all around us today” and that people should be looking at “what we’re not dealing with.”

They also visited EPIC, the Irish Emigration Museum, telling the story of the 10 million Irish people who have emigrated across the world.

Meghan was presented with native Irish flowers by seven year old Maria Dempsey who wore a blue dress by Irish designer Paul Costello.

The museum said "The couple got to uncover stories from the celebrated to the unsung and how Irish emigrants shaped the world, with the focus on what they brought with them, not what they left behind. Their Royal Highnesses walked through the state-of-the-art interactive galleries, complete with touch screens, motion sensor quizzes and a feast of powerful audio and video that bring to life what it means to be Irish."

In the music gallery, Harry recognised the music of Riverdance immediately and the royal couple also got to listen to early recordings of traditional Irish music on gramophones. Meghan was "delighted" to see the work of her favourite Irish milliner Philip Treacy on show.

Reacting to a quote by Mary Robinson displayed in the museum, the Duchess remarked that she admired the former Irish President, whom she chatted with at the summer party last night. I mentioned in last night's post, Mary Robinson is a One Young World Counsellor, Meghan served as a Counsellor with the organisation for several years. They both appeared in a piece for Vanity Fair in 2016 following a summit in Ottawa.

Neville Isdell, Founder and Chairman of EPIC, says, “One of the driving forces behind founding EPIC was to highlight how important emigration is to Ireland’s history. I’ve always believed that the story of Irish people around the world was one worth telling and it’s a great privilege to share that with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The Irish have long had a close connection with the United Kingdom, particularly in our diaspora community.”

Harry and Meghan's final stop was DogPatch labs, a co-working space for technology start-ups located in Dublin's 'Digital Docklands'.

The couple met children and young people taking part in free coding workshops.

More from The Mirror:

'Meghan spoke to Aisling Cowap, 13, about her website she designed and coded called ‘Girls do Code’, for which she won the Best Female Led prize at Coolest Projects International in May. Aisling said: “The Duchess said it was really special that I was showing her my website. Harry said my project was cool and that it would help other girls get into coding just like me.”

During a meeting with a cross section of social leaders, the Duke and Duchess discussed the importance of empowering women from diverse backgrounds with the skills to get involved in the tech industry.

In a moment of bashful self depreciation Harry said “These children are so impressive - I can’t even work an excel spreadsheet”.

Meghan was chic in a sleek black Givenchy suit for the day. The suit was a very good choice for the variety of engagements and walkabouts on the itinerary. The double breasted blazer and tailored trousers made for a professional ensemble. Meghan teamed it with a white top underneath.

Lavender Hill Clothing England told the lovely ladies at What Meghan Wore, the Duchess wore their £34 Boat T-Shirt today. The piece is described as "The boat is a take on our classic scoop with a twist - its reversible! The flattering neckline, rolled cuffs and scooped back make this t-shirt perfect for day-night wear. Pair it with a pencil skirt and blazer during the day and at night take off the blazer for a sexier look. Made from our cotton modal blended fabric, the t-shirt is super soft and lightweight.The fabric is knitted in Austria and manufactured in England."

A recap of Meghan's Dublin wardrobe. Which look is your favourite? The green Givenchy crew neck top and skirt styled with a tan Strathberry tote and stylish pumps gets my vote!

The visit was a resounding success. I thought the itinerary brilliantly planned; we saw a focus on Ireland's history and cultural heritage, and the Irish capital offered the Duke and Duchess an incredibly warm welcome. It came as no surprise to hear the city is Meghan's favourite. Relations with Ireland are hugely important to Charles and with tricky waters to navigate as Brexit unfolds with neighbouring EU countries, there has never been a more appropriate time to strengthen the relationship between the younger generation of royals and overseas countries. It was very much a visit focused on people. From Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to President Michael D. Higgins and his wife, Meghan has proved herself more than adept when it comes to representing Britain with leaders abroad.

It was good to see her accomplishments highlighted, from her time at Northwestern University to her previous visits to Ireland and her work with One Young World. Meghan is drawing on her experiences and bringing them into her role. She was obviously very well informed; a fact which was evident during the reception last night when she met cervical cancer campaigner Vicky Phelan and told her she has been following her story. There were many references throughout to women's issues and it was encouraging to hear so many who met her told her they look forward to seeing her work supporting women moving forward. This is merely the beginning of a lifetime representing the monarchy abroad; I don't know about you, but I'm looking forward to their two to three-week tour of Australia, New Zealand, Tonga and Fiji in October :)

154 comments:

This I love. I know it's simple but it's classic and it fits. Two thumbs up for this outfit! As a frequent royal watcher though I'm surprised at how much black she is wearing...as an American I am not at all surprised how much black. Lol

Unlike a few of her recent beautiful but poorly fitting dresses, this suit fits perfectly! I love seeing her in a suit and she looks so great. So glad she is out there on these outing building connections. The style and fit and simplicity of this suit keep the focus on the activities and not on her clothes while still letting her be beautiful and stylish. I love this.

It is so clear that she is setting her own path with respect to style - and I love it! Yesterday was a triumph from start to finish. She seems comfortable with mostly muted colors, clean lines - sometimes contrasted with a pop of color for accessories. Gives me a bit of a stylish executive feel - which I love. Now with the casual clothing, still muted colors - her thing that we should expect to see going forward. And even though Harry is often helping her navigate the tricky walking spaces, I hope she never stops giving us the very high, slim heel, stilleto pumps. They create a stunning silhouette.

I love this suit, looks very elegant and chic, two words that Meghan serves every time. One thing she and her stylist could also take into consideration is to wear flat shoes/ballerinas for sport events. And as they have a program later on she could easily switch it back to high heels. So far so good!

Meghan looks fantastic - she definitely knows how to rock a pantsuit. She has such a slim, elegant frame - so complimentary to her husband. Even though I cannot afford most of her selections, I so very much enjoy her generally high end style of fashion for the “job”. The genuine American enthusiasm that she continually displays in each engagement , Harry displaying it as well, is very pleasant to see. You do get the impression that they feel honored to have their role and are happy to fulfill their duty.

Oh my goodness, I’ve missed so much! Five unread posts since I last came here for Louis’ christening lol You are super diligent, as always, Charlotte! Thank you for all the hard work that you do. You really should be on the BRF payroll :P Now I just need to catch my breath & catch up on all that’s been happening & I haven’t even started on DKB yet either! We’ve been so spoilt lately with all these appearances - it’s awesome :)

I love this outfit as well, including the high heels, but am wondering if there is some kind of trick to wearing high heels on turf or softer ground. Maybe a clear plastic guard or something that can’t be readily seen? I do remember Duchess Kate getting a heel caught at a St. Patrick’s Day function, so maybe not...

Exactly what I was thinking, Alaina. That's what a classy suit like this does for one's confidence. I know some have said that she should have worn flats or ballerinas but for me, the heels are what makes for a killer look.

Best complete look of the tour. She’s looked amazing in each outfit but the stockings and bras need tweaking. Ie M please spend some time to find the right stocking color for your skin tone!!! And please ditch the strapless bras when in fitted tops! Erininnyc

She is developing the perfect modern working Royal wardrobe to suit herself . She looks cosmopolitan and fresh. It’s going to be so interesting to watch when she chooses to put on the classic uniform to blend in. Very much reminds me of Diana in her last years.

The return of the pants suit! I have been dying for this look! I hope she looks more like this for her patronages. Sometimes I feel as if BRF women are entirely too dressed up for their engagements. They want to appear relatable, but most times, I feel that they are out of touch with reality, and maybe they are. I hope Megahn will not appear that way. In the early days during her engagement to Harry, I felt like she struck the right balance, minus the fly aways of the messy bun. I hope she returns to form, more dressy business casual and less haute couture.

SDR, I think the ghost of the Queen Mum still haunts the women of the BRF. She was one for swanning through the rubble in fine fabrics and feather hats because she believed people wanted to see someone glamorous to lift their spirits. I'm not sure she was right about that.

Times and people's expectations have changed; however, the QM lived a long time as has HM. The balance between 'maintaining standards' and 'moving on with the times' which in their case are near centuries can be hard to shift as one becomes older. Even more so when one was never 'in touch' with the times or the non-royal world. History has shown us numerous times when the royals were clearly out of touch with the zeitgeist.

That said, people who care about the monarchy seem to want the women of the BRF to be 'regal' and 'relatable' at the same time that they want a fashion show. That's a tough act to nail. Even harder in an era when social media allows the whole world to watch and pick apart every detail.

BethNY, I have noticed that some similar looks are sometimes even nicer and much less expensive. For example, I'm still puzzled why anyone would pay $1590 for a simple pencil skirt. And I saw some dresses that were extremely similar to the RAF dress except perhaps a bit more flowing that were less than $100. (I'm not an expert, though, as I work from home on a computer and consider shorts and pajamas to be business attire.) I think "regular people" could get the looks for a lot less, but it seems that the RF must wear a designer name. I no longer see their clothes described except by use of the designer name (except here, of course). And some people sew their own clothes or have someone else do that. :)

From one Philadelphian to another a big THANK YOU for your opinion or shall I say words of wisdom. As I continue to read, participate and enjoy this site I often attempt to expand upon your words. I think to myself why would readers want beautiful young women to succumb to fashion of the past that is often matronly and dowdy. The reality is looking through photos of the past HM was very much on trend in her early years and her fashion aged with her as appropriate. The most difficult thing the RF has had to overcome is their relatability to the citizens of the UK. Unfortunately, HM has been responsible for that. It is only through the new generation that has an understanding of life outside the palace walls that there has been a renewed interest in the RF and the good works they draw attention to. As this generation walks among the people so to should they look like them, reach out to them and encourage them as they are. Meghan is an excellent example of the true American Spirit of our country. Excuse me for waving the flag but her style, grace and enthusiasm captured Harry's heart for a very good reason. He had never met anyone like her in his circle. How lucky is he and how lucky is the RF to have her and what she brings with her in representing them. She has moved on with the times and is "maintaining standards" of today much to the overwhelming delight of most people.

I think it was about time someone introduced pantsuits and trousers to the BRF (no insult to the other ladies of the BRF intended). They've been staples for other royal ladies for years now and I think it's good that they've finally arrived in Britain.As Philly said it's a tough balance and some people seem to want nothing but a pretty dress but this is 2018 and I think a royal lady can wear a pretty dress one day and a pantsuit the next.I love this pantsuit and look forward to Meghan wearing more in the future!

There's only one thing to add, SDR, that may add an important nuance- is that this country is still more than most other European countries ( and certainly more so than the States) a "dress country." I was formerly a dress designer in NYC, and I'd always head striaght to London for dresses to knock off for the US market ( my seawson was made off one flight to London,lol). Trousers or a trouser suit are less common ( and "pants" if you don't know is the equivalent of underwear here, so they call them " trouser suits" ...) so, dresses bow greatly to the expected norm of this country. SO , dressed up to some- they conform ot the norm here- and people do not see the " dress" as out of line here... I'm in buisness here, and I now buy dresses myself all the time for presentations etc. It's on some subtle level "expected" not "stogey" or "too dressy." Different place- different ways of skinning a cat...THe other royals in Europe that wear trousers are also responding to more a cultural norm there, and its more accepted and expected.I think Meghan is fine in this and I think overall,she'sbeen playing her cards quite - if not, extremely well from a sartorial standpoint esp after her marriage. No one is going to mark her down for appearing in trousers here, or perhaps even notice or care, however, on some subtle level it may say," HI, I'm from soemwhere else-and this is what I am comfortable in) which is fine, too, becuase she is!

Wow! I'm a little surprised my comments solicited so much conversation! I appreciate all the feedback! Also, my comments were posted before I knew the suit was Givenchy! 😉. But let me be the first to admit that I am mostly in dresses and skirts because I feel they flatter my figure more than pants. And I'm all about the hoisery, except in the summer. I even wear flesh tone nylons just like Duchess Catherine. 😊 I just think that Meghan strikes an amazing balance between regality and dressy and comes across as relateable! I so don't want her to loose that!

Apologies I just put on my reading glasses. Harry seems to be wearing grey slacks with his grey sport coat. The blue shoe is catching me as off. He wears them often. They must be his go to for casual wear.

Well, it looks like I'm very much alone in this, but I'm sorry to say that I've spent the last two days feeling increasingly disappointed and almost despondent. I feel like all the beautiful cheery promise of the white, pink, yellow and olive green outfits has drained away and she has gone back to square one with the dark, dreary, wintery colours that just remind me of Queen Victoria in her perpetual mourning for Albert. With the exception of the green Ireland arrival outfit, Meghan has worn a navy dress so dark that it might as well have been black (and indeed looked black on TV and in many images), a grey dress, a black cocktail dress and black separates. For goodness' sake, nobody has died and it's July, in the middle of the longest heatwave the UK has had in 40 years. PLEASE, PLEASE bring back the colours Meghan - you look magnificent in them!

I agree with you, Helen H. If Meghan is going to wear black pants and a black jacket, a bright colored shirt might have been a better choice. She wears so many drab neutrals! I love black pants and wear them often myself, but I always pair them with a bright shirt that has some interesting detail, like pockets or an interesting neckline. Meghan's shirt looks like a boring white tee. I think she could have done a bit better.

I think Meghan is wearing black and gray in Ireland because colors have so much political meaning there. Now, I will be quick to disclaim any personal knowledge, it's just from watching documentaries and reading. I know there are issues with orange and green and others so I did a quick google search using the words Ireland, color, politics, and up came a template of the colors of the various political groups. EVERYTHING has some sort of connection, blue, red, purple, green, pink, orange, even various shades of light or dark. Maybe I'm seeing what isn't a consideration but remember when someone decided Catherine was wearing the color of a national flower and it all went crazy.

Hi,Helen H: Just after visiting the Park Harry and Meghan have visited the famine memorial on the bank on Custom House Quay in the Dublin Docklands as part of their royal tour of Ireland.Around one million people died in the famine, with the same number leaving the emerald isle.

The royal couple appeared deep in thought as they walked among the statues of people with looks of desperation on their faces.

Sorry to bust the “I want her to wear color” people bubble. She’s not a Barbie doll and she has said that wearing monochromatic things is her style. Yes she will give us a pop of color every now and then, at 36 she knows exactly what she wants to wear and what she doesn’t. Y’all will have to just deal with it.

I agree Monica. In addition to being a mourning color, (and I think even this is becoming a bit dated in favor of simply muted colors) since the mid-20th century black has been the epitome of chic and glamorous. It’s both business appropriate and evening formal appropriate. Audrey’s Hepburn’s iconic turn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s is a great example of black making the leap from grieving only to glamour (and is a Givenchy dress if I recall correctly!) I personally think you can never go wrong with black with the exception of perhaps morning weddings.

Eugenie, I would absolutely have accepted the black trouser suit for the visit to the famine memorial, no question. However, there was no reason to choose to wear black to the garden party or grey to meet the president and his wife. In honesty, I think those decisions negated the poignancy of choosing to wear black to visit the memorial. If you're going to look sombre for a visit to a memorial like that (and I believe that's right), then it's probably best not to look sombre for your other appearances, so that the contrast is more obvious and the point is more clearly made.

Monica and various Anons, Hello magazine is currently running a poll on Meghan's four tour outfits. The runaway winner so far with almost half the votes is the green arrival outfit; the other three are languishing quite some way behind. I very much agree with you when you say that she is not a Barbie doll - I don't expect her to be, and her causes look like being ones I will be fascinated by - but it looks like many people (and not just me) like to see the royals wearing something cheery while carrying out their important good deeds.

Yay! Her "Suits" outfits are back! Again this looks very much like something her character might have worn on Suits. I like it. This is just going to be her look whenever she's doing solo engagements or engagements with Harry. She only brings on the fascinators and fancy dresses when with the other members of the BRF. I love the cigarette trousers. They're very chic and fashion forward.

Charlotte, if you do one of your "vote for your favorite looks of the tour" polls afterwards, you won't have any votes because we'll all be thinking and trying to decide which looks the best!

Meghan is looking more confident, I think as well. Between that and the fabulous wardrobe we are seeing someone who I think will be someone we will be talking about for a while.

There was a woman on twitter who met them. They'd been told not to give HM anything, but Harry saw her drawing of their engagement photo, brought Meghan over, and asked if they could have it. Of course she said yes. She's just over the moon!!

I agree with you, bluhare! Those two are here to stay... my bet is, our dearest Charlotte will be VERY busy covering them in the months & years to come!! I for one am looking forward to it!! This visit was a whirlwind and I enjoyed every single minute of it!!

Poor Charlotte will be really busy if they keep this up, it's true, Eve. Did you see the person on twitter (she follows a lot of the same people you do) who got to shake Harry's hand? She's beside herself with happiness! This is my huge point with the royals. It's just another day to them, but the people who saw them today will remember. And the goodwill can't be bought.

Yes, I know they were in Ireland, not the UK, but the point stands I think!

Bluhare, I do so agree!! And yes, I´ve seen the reports of all of those who were able to get closer to the pair - just reading them was a delight!! The royals can give so much happiness, so much positive energy just by being somewhere! I know walkabouts are not always easy & a security nightmare - but the effect!!! If I was a royal I would do it just for the sake of all the positive energy that it creates! This planet needs this kind of energy so badly!

Ok, now I’ve seen more pictures and I definitely love the suit. She looks sharp. The “no frills” look does her well. I hesitate to even say this because I have a feeling I’m going to be nailed to the wall, but is anyone else just a little iffy on all the hand holding? I mean, I’m not screaming that is against protocol, because honestly I have no idea what protocol really is for the royals, but it just is starting to seem like maybe they should cut back? I don’t know. I’ll just preface this by saying 1.) I’m from the US, so I have no skin in this game and 2.) I’m not much of a touchy-feely person. I guess I’m looking at this tour as work, and in most workplaces you can’t hold hands or show any PDA if your partner works with you. I know this isn’t your average office relationship, but I see a lot of comments on other places about her being “clingy” or “hanging on Harry” and I don’t want that distracting from what they’re trying to achieve. I just want them both to do well, so maybe I’m making a mountain out of a molehill.

I think the constant attention their affection garners is starting to distract from their work. You're right they are at work- not on a date. That being said I don't think they even realise their doing it, I guess it's the whole newlywed thing.

Anon23, I'm also from the U.S. and am going to agree with Monica on this. While like you I'm not particularly touchy feely, I haven't felt that their handholding detracts from their mission in any way. As Monica mentioned, they seem to hold hands when walking to and fro, and they seem completely engaged whenever talking to people or when needing to pay attention to presentations directed at them. I don't think there is a model that they must adhere to and they seem to be very much themselves. Re Meghan being clingy or hanging on, I truly believe that most of the people with that opinion are looking for a reason to dislike Meghan. The Sussexes like each other! In addition, I think Prince Harry is pinching himself every day that he found a woman that he not only loves, but who also has the intelligence, temperament, experience to succeed in this role. He said as much during their engagement interview. Although she is absolutely her own independent and fully-formed person, he seems to almost guard and watch over her - fearful that something might happen to her. He is often the one bringing her along and I think he has some deep-seated angst about overexposure and the paparazzi. I've read that he feels that the press and paparazzi are partly to blame for the death of his mother and I think he'd do anything to make sure that their relationship stays strong regardless of the fishbowl that they live in. How's that for some amateur psychology?!? LOL Anyway, I think they are cute and that they keep holding hands.

I agree with this, and when I first expressed it people did disagree with me. I don’t think it the hand holding is a huge deal but it is photographed a lot. And images are what people remember. And regardless of if they intend it or not it makes her come off as a bit clingy and insecure. At least from an image standpoint. And I don’t think she really is insecure at all. But she doesn’t always project that with the hand holding. As I mentioned I don’t think this is a huge deal and I think there is absolutely a happy medium. I think the Obamas struck this balance perfectly and are a good example. Some of it is knowing the context of the situation. For example I always kind of wish Will and Kate had kissed on the kiss cam at the nba game. It’s meant to be funny and it honestly looked more awkward that they didn’t. Tho to be fair I’ve always thought will and Kate’s lack of PDA is more their comfort level and I think relative shyness than an official rule they are following. And that is ok if that is a couples style too. Long story short I think it is being noticed but isn’t a huge deal in the grand scheme of things :)

To be clear, and this is not directed to anyone in particular, I am aware that Harry grabs for her hand as much as she grabs for his. I personally do not think Meghan is needy or clingy. I just worry that she’s coming across as needy, as anonymous 21:18 mentioned. And my concern is coming from a place of care. I’m not criticizing Harry and Meghan because I dislike them and want them to be Will and Kate vol. 2. That is not my intention. I think they have great potential as royals, and I want them both to succeed. But, I’m looking beyond the couple in love, and I’m seeing them as representatives of HM and of the UK. While I think it’s cute they hold hands and are very lovey to each other off duty, I don’t want the lines blurred of “cute couple” and “royals at work.” It’s just a feeling I have anyway. I’m not saying they’re doing a poor job, or need to stand 50 feet away from each other at all times, it’s just that everything Meghan does is scrutinized and picked apart as it is, and I just don’t want people to have another thing to condemn her for. But, as long as HM is happy with how Meghan and Harry are doing their duties, then I guess that’s all that really matters. I’m just an outsider looking in anyway. :-)

Anon23, totally understand and your POV is, of course, completely reasonable and rational. They seem great and I think we all want to see them use their massive platform for good. We are always in need of people and actions that elevate the human condition. Maybe as time goes on, they'll settle into the things that work for them and the public will get used to whatever it is. Part of why I like this site is that time is actually devoted substance of their engagements and work and not just style - although I love the style, too! Kudos to Charlotte - you rock!

As long as their security detail have not forbidden hand holding, it’s fine. Some couples are told not to touch when exiting or entering a car, a building, or going up and down steps , so they can be protected individually if an incident occurs.

I think Anon23's comment is reasonable and she explained it very well. It's a subject that has come up before and I happen to agree. No one is suggesting that they are making out, but they are on duty and represent the Queen at the end of the day. They're also on the mature side of 30. :-)

It’s all a matter of interpretation. If you interpret hand holding as a sign of insecurity, then you aren’t going to be happy with their simple displays of affection. If you interpret hand holding as a sign of affection, then you won’t mind it at all. I personally don’t think it’s any of our business. My opinion is that certain media outlets are creating an alleged problem out of this to get more clicks on their web and social media pages.

This seems to be just another example of creating a story where none really exists. Think about all the recent stories purporting that Meghan has violated some non-existent rule of royal protocol. If people would just stop reading that trash, it would eventually disappear.

Also, I’m serious that I don’t believe their personal behavior is our business unless they are misusing their positions or behaving illegally or immorally. Social media gives everybody a platform to say pretty much what they want. However, just because we can doesn’t mean we should.

But Charles and Camilla are also representing the Queen when they hold hands "on the job." And they aren't newlyweds or anywhere close to 30 (or 40, or 50...) This issue does come up alot and I think it's fine to discuss and disagree. Personally I'd just like to see how things settle out in a few more months post-wedding.

Hand holding is how they show their affection, they are not kissing or groping, it's innocent handholding, what has age to do with it? No where in the "etiquette book" says they cannot hold hands. I have read many articles on this topic including the "Daily Mail" and it says they are not doing anything wrong. It's up to each royal couple to choose when they want to hold hands and when not to. They are newly weds (2 months), they may eventually not hold as much. Let them enjoy their honeymoon phase.

I agree with Penny, the media makes a mountain into a molehill when it comes to Meghan whether people want to admit or or not. "Handholding", "crossing legs", "bright colored/pastel clothes", "ill-fitted clothes" and so on. Meghan is a confident woman which many people have realised, I feel like the goal with these "royal etiquette/protocol" watchers is to make her lose confidence and Meghan has shown she will not be bullied - so it has come to this. Her holding hands with Harry is being reduced to "clingy" and "needy" when it is clear that she is not like that. I hope they holds hands as advised and when they want to and resist the bullying and shaming.

and because you're in the mature side of 30 you can't be affictioned to your partner? Please, leaf them be themselves, there's so little love in the world as is. Don't forget it isn't a 9 to 5 office job, it's there life, to be continous on display.

The hand holding isn’t an issue because they’re hand holding is only when they’re walking to or from. Most of the anti hand holding thing is based on what people see Will and Kate do or in this case don’t do often of which could be because they aren’t the touchy-feely couple like Harry and Meghan. It’s way over blown especially the clingy part. He reaches for her hand just as much as she reaches him. To be honest that’s why many people like them they aren’t the stuffy business only type of couple they are more relaxed.

In some pictures you can see his hand cupped and waiting for Meghan to grab on. That's why when they where with the Queen you can tell its natural for him to have his hand out waiting for hers, but then he remembers where he is and clasps his hands together.

They could be hand-holding because she is an affectionate person and considers Harry to be a boyfriend, now husband rather than a photo op. I feel really certain that he loves it too. I think the best thing is to feel good when we see it! They seem to have a great relationship and their hand-holding is only their business.

I totally agree with you Monica. I really hope that the hand-holding isn't 'phased out'. For those of us old enough to have lived through the turmoil of the 1980s and 1990s with all the royal separations, divorces and media point-scoring, it's incredibly refreshing and reassuring to see that the relationships of this generation are at least starting out on solid, loving ground. I love the pda between Harry and Meghan, and, although they don't seem as touchy-feely by nature, I would love to see a little more contact between William and Kate and other royal couples on occasion. I don't think it's unprofessional while on duty; I think it's really endearing.

I really like Meghan's pant suit. Honestly what career woman wouldn't want a well fitting pant suit and I think the tailoring of the suit is perfect. I was expecting her to wear slacks, so I wasn't surprised with the change today. And there's just something about a white top with a black pantsuit that works well. Sure, maybe it could have been a beautiful silk fabric but I think she was trying to make it work for the various activities they did today.

I visited Trinity College in March - it actually snowed - and saw the Book of Kells and the library is spectacular. It was nice to see the table set up in that hall for the registry signing. I now wish I had gone to the Irish Emigration Museum.

I'm guessing we'll see Megan at Wimbledon tomorrow for the Semi-finals. Serena did lose that first set in her last match - so I think it's best she get a little support from her friends.

I'm a real fan of Meghan, because I love love love her style and how she knows herself and dresses by what she knows suits her well, rather than applying a "fashion" protocol to her style. She is absolutely stunning in every single item she wears. She's perfection in style. Understated and classic. No bright colors, not trying to please anyone but herself, knows her color palette and sticks with it. This is a woman who is a style icon. I remember Diana, and she's about to follow in her footsteps I believe. Elegant, sleek, poised, unencumbered, classic. I just love her warmth, and Harry's too. The only issue I have with them is they will not descend to the throne, but on the other hand, I think that's what makes them so special, and such wonderful additions to the Royal family. I love that they never hesitate to show affection and hold hands. Such a refreshing relief from the other members of the RF who rarely show humanity and warmth, even though I know they possess it. Harry and Meghan rock!!!

Regarding the color, we wear lots of color in Ireland and we have had a hot sunny summer , and all enjoying wearing summer clothes . I get that Meghan is not a frilly girly dresser but lighter neutrals might have worked well. I loved her trouser suit but it would have looked lovely in a lighter color. Meghan has been a huge hit over here, all very positive coverage of the visit. Her outfits were all beautiful but there is a lot of sniping in the British press about her expensive style. I think Meghan needs to find some looks from labels that are less expensive. It needs to be a mix of designer and high street to keep the critics happy. Sinead

@Lauren: I will slightly disagree. This has nothing to do with Mehhan. Why do people feel the need to victimise her all the time? The BRF are a topic that sells and pretty young people or criticism sells even better. They make up stories all the time. This happens to all of them. Meghan is just the newest addition.But I think talking about the price of their clothes is important. I will give it some time to see if she will get lots of wear out of her outfits. And of course there are outfits for occasions that will never be worn again. Which is fine, but Meghan’s style is so modern/clean/business that a lot of her outfits are easy to repeat and people will expect it as lots wear a similar style at the office for less money and of course repeat it a ton. That is the downside when you dress like the “normal people” (even though I like the suits). While many people are scared about how to get by and the fear of it getting worse paying thousands for simple outfits can only be justified by repeating them. This is a big topic when talking about the BRF because in the end even their personal wealth has come from the people at one point.C.

I agree with Laureen on the criticism that come from the British media, honestly they are feeding the public with the most ridiculous stories such as what kind royal protocol Meghan breaks day by day. And sadly people repeat that on blogs as well.

The criticism whether she should wear expensive designer outfits puzzles me since she earned a decent amount of money so probably she could afford a lot, we simply do not know what is new and what she had already owned. I think she deserves the same treatment/patience that other member of the family got when she joined the royal family. After years, I remember there were complaints about the cost of wardrobe but not after 3 months. I find it unfair to Meghan.

The "criticism" that she wears too many black or too skin tight or too loose clothes is absolutely understandable since we have different tastes and ideas of a royal.

Charles pays for Meghan's clothing form the Duchy of Cornwall income he receives. I agree she's going for high end designers which aren't cheap to be sure. It is too soon to say she won't rewear them; she's only been married for a couple of months!

But personal taste is personal taste and I'm not going to knock hers. Just because I don't like something doesn't mean she shouldn't wear it. I'm the same with Kate or any of the other royal ladies. I would hope they could have their own taste and style and not have to conform to a cookie cutter mold.

I don’t think you should underestimate the power of the press, if they keep putting something out there such as Designers Duchess, it will unfortunately stick. I just don’t want them to have any ammunition against Meghan. They will always be building her up and knocking her down but fashion choices do count and if your seen supporting charities and other causes, she will have to mix it up with designer and high street. Sinead

I agree Charlotte - loved the separates that she wore off the plane. It was so modern and fresh IMHO. The color was beautiful. Loved all of her purses/clutches. And there were a new piece of jewelry to boot!

I wasn't disappointed at all with her color choices. She's not actually the "star" at any of these events - Prince Harry is and/or the hosts. Sure she's admired, etc. but I loved that the President of Ireland's wife was in the bright pink dress and Meghan's didn't complete.

And as someone else said, "we Americans love our black." I would kill to have that dress or the pant suit hanging in my closet. I believe she's doing a great job building out her wardrobe.

And one more thing to add - I loved that it was shared that they stopped for lunch, what they had, the restaurant, etc. That part of the tour isn't typically shown with Will and Kate and hope some of you - like me - are always wondering about that.

Amazing job Charlotte! Looking forward to reading all of the other comments.

Elle-- I also wondered why it was such a no-no for the owner of a hotel Will and Kate stayed at during their 2nd Canadian tour to ask if they would pose for a picture with the staff. I thought it was explained at the time (somewhere, don't remember where) the concern was that the hotel might use a photo for commercial gain so that couldn't be allowed. But it doesn't seem to be a problem here. Maybe because Harry is unlikely to be king?

Maybe they’ve sorted out a solution to this kind of thing - just a simple contract would do, with the business owner promising not to use the photograph for advertising or other profit-seeking purposes.

I'm so proud of Meghan! She has truly hit the ground working and engaging and learning and charming. Some only focus on the clothing but I focus on the smiles, the authentic interactions and the obvious love between Harry and Meghan. Put together the tour was an amazing success and was great training for their upcoming larger tours. The clothing was classic and sleek and she is doing a better job celebrating her body shape rather than hiding it. As we have seen with Meghan she learns and adapts her style while staying true to herself.

Charlotte, you've done a wonderful work. Your resumen is complete and so interesting. I've learnt a lot and had a lot of fun reading. Thank you very much! As for Meghan's irish looks, my favourite one is the green one of the arrival.

A very successful first tour for the Duke and Duchess. They really come across as engaged and charming. They both exude such warmth. I really like her black suit, very chic and appropriate for the days activities. My favorite look, hands down, was the green Givenchy arrival ensemble. Bravo to them for a job well done.

Me too, I am hoping the Duchess will wear a Gucci cardigan to Wimbledon. The cardigan is such a preppy, classy, look. My favorite outfit is the the green ensemble, and the purse. Very professional! The Duchess of Sussex is brave, bold, brilliant, and beautiful! Parthenia

I was a bit disappointed not to see Meghan at Wimbledon today but Serena played incredibly well. Such an amazing woman! I very much enjoyed watching her. But surely, now that Serena is in the final, Meghan MUST go see her play? ;-) What do you think Charlotte, will we see her on Saturday?

Looking forward to seeing the Duchess of Sussex at Wimbledon on Saturday. She would look so sporty, classy, and stylish if she wore a navy cardigan(Sacai, Gucci, or Ralph Lauren), and white pants. Can't wait to see her fashion style to a prestigous tennis tournament in England. Also, hope Serena Williams wins! Parthenia

Great discussion on Harry and Meghan's PDA's. Personally, I think it is the media's obsession. Harry and Meghan are totally focussed on the people they are supposed to be interacting with. I do think that Meghan's comfort and saftey is still never far from Harry's mind.

A great suit. I would like it more if the sleeves were rolled up instead of cut at 3/4 length since it would give it a more casual vibe, but it's great anyway. I snapped up that tee shirt to wear to wear with slacks on my next business trip.

My vote for the winner goes to the green separates as well. And how beautiful was that tan leather tote?

Super fun trip! My husband's family emigrated to the US from Ireland during the famine and I love rocking my Irish last name. We went on a family trip last year and I couldn't believe how gorgeous and charming Ireland is.

We'll certainly be spoiled in October by that long tour! I bet she's already prepping clothes.

I imagine we will see these pieces again, particularly the suit and the separates. Loved all the interaction with children (and the First Dogs!). Also chimed in to share the link to the Vanity Fair article Charlotte mentions about the One Young World Summit in Ottawa where Meghan met Mary Robinson in 2016. https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2017/03/leading-lights-one-young-worldOmid Scobie says she is going to announce her first patronages/areas of emphasis in the next few weeks. I hope he is right; I am really looking forward to that (as much if not moreso than her next fashionable outing).

OMG! I may be only Irish born reader of this blog and wanted to say how much I love Meghan’s style on this visit. I adore her pantsuits (I live in the US now), colors and styles she wears. Totally agree that she is a fresh and modern influence on the BRF and loving it. I went to Trinity for college and really enjoyed seeing her meet Mary Robinson, the first female President who I voted for at the time. Go Meghan!

I guess my favorite look is the LBD, then the pantsuit, gray dress, and dress out last. And again on the PDA---they are working while hand-holding, not hand-holding instead of working. I think it's a media thing---anything small and insignificant to focus on. It will be great when she announces her patronages, because I think we'll see her in action.

And I also love seeing her with those adorable dogs! She is truly a lovely person.

It is a hard choice now, which outfit was the best one? I think I liked something from every look, but the LBD was lovely, so maybe that is no 1! Closely followed by the pantsuit, I thought that was an excellent choice. The taupe colour looked beautiful on Meghan, and the dark green ensemble on arrival, omg I loved that skirt, a definite favourite. I thought maybe the top half of the green and also taupe outfit were not so well fitted, the smooth lines were just not there. It is a small nitpick though. Overall, a stylish wardrobe selected for this interesting tour of Ireland. I hope they get to go back and visit other parts of this beautiful and amazing country in the future, there is so much to see and do.

Whilst I like the suit I don't think she should wear head to toe black for daytime appointments. Black is still the colour of mourning for women of the BRF. Other dark colours like navy or charcoal grey would have been just as stylish. She is a member of the BRF now and she should adhere to some of the dress code. Also it is really hot here in Ireland at the moment so the dark colours appear a little odd.

Thank you, Charlotte for your delightful blog, and all the work you do on to make it informative and a great place to chat. I enjoy the community of commentors who seem to congregate here. Flora from CanadaThere appear to be accessory and jewellery repeats (earrings, belts, bag)on this trip, as well as a British shirt. I know many were looking for something specifically by an Irish designer, but I think Meghan made connections in more subtle ways, such as her Phillip Treacy hats, her previous trip to Dublin, her connection with Mary Robinson, her knowledge of events in Ireland. She respected the country she was visiting by doing her homework, and by being sincerely attentive to and interested in the people she met, and the things and places she was shown.

Busy week at work, so going to catch up on all the posts with my thoughts here(sorry):

Green two piece - loved it. And love that I think it will be super versatile moving forward. I can totally imagine that skirt with a cream colored blouse(ie Kate’s GOAT blouse) or the green sweater with a pair of chocolate wide leg trousers - both would be terrific for day engagements.

Black cocktail dress: I loved it too. I do not think broach would work well, I think it would look awkward on the straps. I would not have been opposed to seeing it in a color, like a deep burgundy or plum, but I also loved the black. And her hair and makeup was outstanding! Also, I am so impressed with all the details she could remember about people. I am sure they are briefed on certain key people, but there were 300+ (?) people and from what I heard, Meghan seemed to know who each person was that she spoke with. Talk about a great memory for details!

Grey dress: initially, I liked it, but the more I saw of it(undergarment issue not withstanding), I am not a huge fan. It just seems to make her look very wide in the hips and not in a ‘gives you some great curves’ sort of way. I like the idea, but not the actual execution.

Two piece suit: LOVED it! I think she looks fantastic. Professional and accessible but also not stuffy or grumpy. So jealous that I cannot rock that look.

Regarding the hand holding, I feel like this hand holding is the hand holding of equal partners. Before Meghan seemed to almost cling, but now it feels far more of a confident power couple type of hand holding. Perhaps one of them has the love language of touch and in a throng of people who all want something from one of them, this is their way of saying, ‘I see YOU and I love YOU’, not for what you look like or can represent, but just who you are. Or, they will just be one of those couples(like my mom/stepdad) who are in their 60’s and totally hold hands when they are out and about.

The hand holding is totally FINE. It has nothing to do with how engaged they are. Harry and Meghan were both well briefed about Ireland and came across as fully integrated with what they had to do when on this whirlwind tour. Perfect performance, cannot be faulted. The media are looking for things to sell papers, we know this. They will focus on ANYTHING that takes the attention away from the real reason or issue that the royals are highlighting: an event, a charity or a part of the world etc. The media even had the audacity to jump on the fact that Harry and Meghan had an entourage travelling with them for 48 hours or less, then blame it on Meghan. I laughed so much, how ridiculous. Most of the people were the type of people who usually travel with Harry and the royals anyway, including their own media team, advisors etc. then Meghan's hairdresser and assistant. But lord help her if her hair is out of place, her outfits are crinkled or she does not know her topic. Sigh. Hold hands and be happy I say. The world needs more LOVE, and less negativity.

Let me first say- I like the outfit. A black suit is a great timeless piece and I found style and colour fitting for the event. Can someone explain me why I have seen lots of comments that „Americans wear lots of black“ as if Europeans would only wear it for funerals. In my experience most Europeans wear more muted/neutral and black colours than Americans and defenitely a more „business“ style in their life away from work as people in the US (no sweat pants outside from home and gym for example). At least in the northern half of Europe. This really starts to annoy me. Meghan is now confronted with the expectation of the people she choose to life with and work for. She also will not be liked by anyone and even people who generally like her can find points that they will criticise. This comment section seems to be very easily offended on her behalf (compared to HRHDK) and people make up the most ridiculous assumptions about her. It gets a bit tiresome.C.

If they can’t hold hands, the Queen will handle it. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have done a wonderful job representing the Queen and GB on this visit. Charlotte, the history lesson was fantastic. I have enjoyed this post. The Duchess of Sussex has her own fashion style and so far, I’m enjoying it. Thank you, Charlotte.

All the outfits worn by the Duchess in Ireland are elegant, however its mid summer we are experiencing a heat wave here and I feel that the colours are more suited to autumn/winter palate. The black dress at the garden party on a glorious summer evening looked sombre, also wearing very high heels in Croke Park (irish equivalent of Wembly Stadium were inapropriate, she could have changed into trainers or wedges for that portion of the visit.Otherwise the royal visit was a huge success and the couple charmed all people they met.

Meghan is super elegant - and is doing a great job for the BRF. Harry always needed someone special and equally exuberant, and he has indeed found his match.

Why is it, though, that the royal ladies of Europe feel the need to dress in super exclusive brands like Gucci, Givenchy, Fendi, McQueen, Prada....? Somehow, this irks me; have we come to a place where a £ 4000 bag is "de rigueur"...?

Charlotte, I want to thank you so much for the hard work you put in to your two blogs. Your posts are informative, and the photos are always fabulous! Please keep up the fantastic work! My favorite outfit of the tour was the black Emilia Wickstead dress. Though I did not like the color, it was the best fitting of her dresses, and I love the A-line and the neck. She looked lovely.There were some comments regarding the criticism Meghan is experiencing here. I haven't noticed any criticisms about her personality or work ethic, just her clothes. It seems that everyone on here adores Meghan, myself included, and we want only the best for her. She is new at the job and doing well already. I think she just needs time to get the clothing/hair thing sorted. Does anyone remember when Kate was first married? She had to deal with criticisms, too. Meghan is the newest member of the RF, but once she settles in and chooses her patronages, I think we're going to see a fresh, modern, approachable royal who's not afraid of hard work.

I don’t know about Meghan but I usually wear 2-3 inch heels for work/night out/weddings and the key for me is putting more pressure on the balls of my feet so I don’t fully step the heel into anything that will throw off my balance or get stuck. It’s so slight that you don’t notice it if you don’t know I’m doing it.

Charlotte I too want to thank you for your SUPERB blogs. The contents is out of this world. I think the Duchess of Sussex looked incredible on this trip. The green Givenchy arrival outfit was so stylish! I agree there. I would love to see her hair in more 1/2 up. She is so gorgeous and I think you can see more of her face. For example, in the Emilia Wickstead dress you may have been able to appreciate the neckline a bit more.

Meghan and Kate will be at Wimbledon this Saturday!! I can't wait! it will be so nice to see the ladies in a fun and relaxed setting without the boys who usually stand between them and also without the protocol that means Meghan is behind the Cambridges. Can't wait to see what they wear!

What I don't like is when Meghan's style preference is equated to disrespect for the Queen and all the other nasty insinuations. We should enjoy having something different to see, some new styles and colors to check out. The hair comments have settled down a bit but then she's worn some tight buns. What is interesting is that Melania arrived in the UK today wearing---Mouret. I mention this in the most nonpolitical way possible!

I have given up trying to figure out why so much money is spent on clothes, but I read that some well-know people "rent" them. In the same vein I like to think that MM is getting a huge discount for the publicity. A really big discount.

Should be great seeing Meghan and Kate together---I imagine they will not coordinate outfits but will each wear what they want to wear that day. Fingers crossed.

Short trip but successful visit! Prince Harry is always charming. Meghan is adorable. My vote goes to the black dress from Emilia Wickstead, simple but very elegant.Some of the bags were too big.. She looked too much like a business woman. The Roland Mouret dress was beautiful but there was a problem with the bra and undergarment that distracted too much. If I can, I'd suggest to look Melania Trump outfit when she arrived at Stansted Airport. She was wearing a Roland Mouret nude and tight outfit but "perfect-unnoticeable" undergarment...I wonder how she did it! I'm just saying this because I like Meghan, of course. Can't wait to see her at Wimbledon...may be with Kate, too!!!!

This is an easy one! She wore a similar suit before her marriage and it was brilliant. I'm so glad to see that is not a look now relegated to the past. She looks smart, she looks classy, and if you haven't seen the delicious "Meghan's Magic Shoes" bit somewhere out in the internet, I'll quickly sum up. Yes, she walked through grass and soil in those shoes. Somehow, the heels did not dare sink even a millimeter into the ground. I was impressed! I have a feeling she feels more like herself here than in, say, that Goat dress at Charles 's birthday wingding. ;0)

Welcome to Mad About Meghan! We do so look forward to reading your thoughts. Constructive, fair debate is always encouraged. Hateful, derogatory terms and insults are not welcome here. This space focuses on Harry and Meghan, not any other member of the Royal family. It's not the place to discuss politics either. Thank you for reading, we look forward to your comments :)